Thundering Raiju
Creature — Spirit
Haste
Whenever this creature attacks, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control. Then this creature deals X damage to each opponent, where X is the number of modified creatures you control other than this creature. (Equipment, Auras you control, and counters are modifications.)
- CMC
- 4
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- R
- Rarity
- rare
- Set
- Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty
- Price
- $0.50
- EDHREC rank
- #3895
Thundering Raiju enters swinging — it attacks with haste and deals damage equal to the number of +1/+1 counters distributed that turn, turning your counter engine into direct face damage before opponents can answer it. The cost is that it does nothing in a deck that isn't already stacking counters, making it a pure synergy piece with zero floor outside that context.
Best Commanders
Commanders with the highest synergy
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog distributes +1/+1 counters aggressively through its speed-based triggers, and Thundering Raiju converts that counter output directly into damage the same turn — 54% of Sonic decks already run it for exactly this reason.
Chishiro, the Shattered Blade
Chishiro, the Shattered Blade generates +1/+1 counters every time an aura or equipment enters, and Thundering Raiju cashes in that steady counter flow as a damage clock with immediate haste pressure.
Sephiroth, Fallen Hero
Sephiroth, Fallen Hero accumulates counters through combat damage triggers, and Thundering Raiju gives that accumulation a second axis — the more Sephiroth builds up, the harder Raiju hits.
Marchesa, the Black Rose
Marchesa, the Black Rose rewards getting counters onto creatures before they die, and Thundering Raiju both benefits from that counter distribution and incentivizes pushing damage through in the same turn window.
Halana and Alena, Partners
Halana and Alena, Partners distribute +1/+1 counters equal to power at the start of combat, and Thundering Raiju converts that pre-combat counter dump directly into damage — the timing lines up perfectly.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | legal |
| pioneer | legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | not legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
Commander is where Thundering Raiju actually earns its slot — counter-synergy commanders are abundant, and the haste clause matters in a format where sorcery-speed threats often get answered before they connect. In competitive eternal formats like Legacy and Modern, it's legal but irrelevant; four mana for a conditional damage trigger has no place in those environments. Pioneer is similarly uninterested. Thundering Raiju is a Commander card wearing other-format legality as a technicality.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.50 bulk tier
At $0.50, Thundering Raiju is firmly bulk, and that price is stable — it sees no competitive demand outside Commander, and its niche there is real but narrow. Pick it up freely; there's no reason to hesitate at this price point.
Explore
Sources
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.